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Science News Archive March 2021


Page 14 of 53

Beneficial bacteria help wheat stand the heat

Research reveals that root-dwelling bacteria can enhance plant heat tolerance, with SA187 showing promising results in lab and field tests. The bacteria trigger the plant's defense system by producing metabolites that prime its heat-resistance genes for action.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Dow-like index for energy prices might help smooth transition to clean power

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a metric that reflects the average price of energy in the United States, providing a way to optimize policies for a smooth and efficient transition to clean energy. The energy price index can forecast energy demands and prices, helping policymakers navigate the evolving energy landscape.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Study illuminates the molecular details of lung development

A study has produced a detailed molecular atlas of lung development, identifying critical cell types and signaling pathways. The researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing and ATAC sequencing to record gene expression in thousands of individual cells across the lifespan, revealing new insights into how alveoli develop and mature.

Corona waste kills animals throughout the entire world

Biologists Auke-Florian Hiemstra and Liselotte Rambonnet found reports of various animals becoming entangled in corona waste, including foxes, birds, hedgehogs, seagulls, crabs, and bats. The diversity of affected species is considerable, with vertebrates and invertebrates on land, in freshwater, and seawater also impacted.

Female salmon are dying at higher rates than male salmon

New UBC research finds female sockeye salmon are dying at significantly higher rates than their male counterparts during migration, leading to skewed sex ratios in spawning grounds. The study identifies four reasons for this trend: depletion of energy reserves, reduced cardiac capacity, stress and disease.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Meta-analysis shows children prefer people who speak like them

A meta-analysis of studies with monolingual and bilingual children found that they generally favor native speakers over non-native speakers. However, children raised in diverse environments may have a greater awareness of linguistic-based group differences.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

NIH grant focuses on eye disorders

The University of Delaware lab will investigate the role of Elav11 and its partners in eye development under a four-year NIH grant. Researchers aim to understand mechanisms behind cataracts and lens abnormalities.

Scientists discover how humans develop larger brains than other apes

A new study reveals the genetic mechanism behind human brain development, identifying a key molecule called ZEB2 that influences brain growth. The research found that human brain organoids grow larger and have more neurons than those from other apes due to a delayed change in cell shape.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Nanoparticle flu vaccine blocks seasonal and pandemic strains

Researchers have developed next-generation influenza vaccines that protect against a wide variety of seasonal and pandemic strains, including avian viruses H5N1 and H7N9. These nanoparticle-based vaccines spur strong immune responses in animal trials, potentially lowering the risk of bad flu seasons.

Fighting 'forever chemicals' with microbes

Researchers explore using microbes to degrade per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), persistent environmental pollutants. A study suggests that certain microbe strains can defluorinate PFAS, but further research is needed to develop a feasible method for cleaning up the compounds.

Aspirin not as effective as anticoagulation

A multicenter study found that aspirin was not equally effective as blood thinners in treating cervical artery dissections. The international study showed a higher risk of problems with aspirin treatment compared to anticoagulation.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Psychological forest: What trees reveal about Antarctic researchers

A team of Japanese scientists conducted a study on the psychological effects of living in Antarctica, using non-invasive surveys and tree drawings as tools. The results showed two types of coping mechanisms: stabilizing life by maintaining previous routines, and flexibly adjusting to new circumstances.

Extreme temperatures, heat stress and forced migration

A new study projects extreme heatwaves of up to 56 degrees Celsius in the MENA region, posing a significant threat to human life and forced migration. The research team recommends immediate climate change mitigation measures and adaptation solutions for urban centers.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

A better treatment for sickle cell disease

A team of researchers from Texas A&M University developed an organ-on-a-chip device that can model the disease physiology of patients with sickle cell disease. The device uses blood outgrowth endothelial cells to mimic a patient's vessel, allowing for personalized treatment and predicting disease progression.

A novel marker of adult human neural stem cells discovered

A team of researchers identified a novel biomarker, membrane-bound BASP-1 protein, to visualize adult human neural stem cells in the live mammalian brain. This discovery enables better understanding of neurogenesis and its relevance to neurological disorders, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Older than expected: Teeth reveal the origin of the tiger shark

Researchers have discovered that the modern tiger shark originated 13.8 million years ago, rather than the previously assumed 5.3 million years. The study, published in Paleobiology, used geometric morphometrics to analyze fossil teeth and found only one valid species of tiger shark remaining today.

Optical fiber could boost power of superconducting quantum computers

Physicists at NIST have developed a system that uses optical fiber to control and read out a superconducting qubit, enabling the creation of a more powerful quantum computer. The method allows for the conversion of light signals into microwaves, which can be used to store and process information.

Mixed reality gets a machine learning upgrade

Osaka University researchers use deep learning to improve mobile mixed reality generation, enabling the automatic removal of obstructions and addition of greenery. This technology may revolutionize green architecture and city revitalization by providing real-time visualizations.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

How grasslands respond to climate change

Climate change impacts grassland vegetation through increased CO2 concentration, leading to reduced stomatal conductance, nitrogen uptake, and yield. Researchers found that heavy nitrogen fertilization no longer boosts yield performance, instead hindering it.

Effective Field Theories and the nature of the universe

Effective Field Theories were introduced to simplify mathematics involved in unifying interactions. Steven Weinberg shares his expertise on these theories, which unify weak and electromagnetic interactions with the strong interaction. He also discusses implications for future research and applications in diverse areas.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Pumice the key to solving seabird mass death mystery

Researchers used pumice from an underwater volcanic eruption to determine the cause of a mass death of migrating seabirds. The study found that birds were starving and eating non-food materials like pumice stones due to lack of food, indicating broader health issues for the marine ecosystem.

Pilot study finds evidence of bartonella infection in schizophrenia patients

A pilot study from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found evidence of Bartonella infection in the blood of people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The study suggests a potential link between Bartonella infection and neuropsychiatric disease, particularly schizophrenia.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Online mindfulness may improve mental health during COVID-19 pandemic

A recent study published in Global Advances in Health and Medicine found that online mindfulness interventions can improve psychological health during times of uncertainty. The study showed significant reductions in momentary stress, anxiety, and COVID-19 concern among participants.

Artificial neurons help decode cortical signals

Artificial neurons help decode cortical signals using a new algorithm that automates feature extraction and interpretation. The neural network architecture is automatically tuned to analyze signals from separate neural populations, providing physiologically meaningful results.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Variable pay schemes can make workers ill

Research by Ruhr-University Bochum finds that performance-based remuneration schemes can lead to emotional exhaustion, fatigue, depression, and burnout in employees. Workers with specific skills or experience tend to cope better with pressure.

Making molecular movies of a biological process of energy conversion

Researchers use time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography to capture dynamic changes in chloride ion-pumping rhodopsin, an atomic 'pump' driven by sunlight. The study reveals the mechanisms of energy conversion and has implications for designing light-sensitive molecular pumps.

OCD among new mothers more prevalent than previously thought

Research suggests that postpartum women are at a higher risk of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) than previously thought, with symptoms often going undetected. The study found that up to 17% of new mothers experience OCD symptoms related to infant-related harm, emphasizing the need for targeted screening and assessment me...

Preemies at greater risk for mortality in adulthood

A new study found that premature birth increases the risk of mortality in adulthood by up to 40% compared to full-term births. Chronic diseases such as heart disease and lung disease also pose a higher risk, with individuals born before 37 weeks having twice the risk of dying from these conditions.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Stem cell therapy shows promise against age-related muscle loss

Researchers have found that using a small molecule called givinostat can coax induced pluripotent stem cells to become muscle progenitor cells, increasing muscle stem cells and decreasing destructive inflammation. The strategy also restores levels of dystrophin, a key protein for the muscle, in animal models of muscular dystrophy.